Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6
80 Imaging
61 Features
88 Overall
71


88 Imaging
53 Features
77 Overall
62
Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
- Announced October 2019
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5 II
- Newer Model is OM System OM-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Released August 2014
- New Model is Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Overview
In this article, we are matching up the Olympus E-M5 III versus Olympus E-PL6, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and E-PL6 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

The E-M5 III was launched 5 years after the E-PL6 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-M5 III matches up vs the E-PL6 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M5 III & Olympus PEN E-PL6. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 III Gallery & Olympus E-PL6 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus E-PL6
E-M5 III | E-PL6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2019 | ![]() | August 2014 | Newer by 64 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+580k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Olympus E-M5 III
E-PL6 | E-M5 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PL6
E-M5 III | E-PL6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both are selfie friendly | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III features physical dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL6 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III versus Olympus E-PL6 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the E-PL6.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and E-PL6 is 80 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The image here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 III and E-PL6.
To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus E-M5 III to show greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer E-M5 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Olympus PEN E-PL6 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | Olympus PEN E-PL6 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2019-10-17 | 2014-08-01 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VIII | TruePic VI |
Sensor type | MOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.4 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 226.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 121 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Maximum silent shutter speed | 1/32000s | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 30.0 frames per second | 8.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 414g (0.91 lb) | 325g (0.72 lb) |
Dimensions | 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | 360 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $1,199 | $300 |